If you’re a high school student who is looking to get into robotics, engineering, and all things STEM, then the FIRST Lego League should definitely be on your list! Participating in the FIRST Lego League Challenge will demonstrate your dedication to STEM and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations. 

In this blog, we have covered the FIRST Lego League, its format, eligibility, prizes, and any other details you may want to know. Additionally, we have also covered 8 solid tips that can help you win!

What is the FIRST Lego League?

The FIRST LEGO League Challenge, formerly known as FIRST LEGO League, is a global competition organized by FIRST, aimed at elementary and middle school students, encompassing ages 9-14 in the United States and Canada and 9–16 in other countries.

Every August, FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams are presented with a scientific and real-world challenge. You will be tasked with designing and programming Lego Education robots to accomplish specific tasks. Moreover, you will also have to devise a solution to a problem that fits that year’s theme. 

The competition is held at a regional, national, and international level, where you and your team will compete, exchange knowledge and showcase your robotic creations. 

How does the FIRST LEGO League work?

Post registration, FIRST will provide your team with official material, which includes a “challenge mat”, LEGO components, and instructions on how to build items for the mat (which is the Challenge SET). You will also receive a list of tasks (or missions) to compete using your LEGO Educational robot without any outside assistance. 

You will have a minimum of 8 weeks as a build period where you will analyze the challenge mat, design, build and program your LEGO robot to complete the missions. Do note that the robot has to be autonomous and adhere to specific limitations set out by FIRST. 

There are 2 primary modes of participation, and one is the Class Pack, where the sessions are during curriculum time, and the tournament will be held at the school. Alternatively, you can register as a separate team and compete at the qualifying event. Do note that Class Pack teams can advance to qualifying events but you will have to register specifically to do so. 

What are the prizes for FIRST LEGO League?

The prizes vary each year and are also dependent on your region. Rewards also focus on recognizing the participant’s achievements rather than extravagant rewards. So expect trophies, medals and certificates which will acknowledge your performance in categories such as robot design, project presentation and more!

Participating in higher-level competitions can also help with winning scholarships and educational opportunities!

Is the FIRST LEGO League prestigious?

The FIRST Lego League is highly prestigious, as its parent company (FIRST) is a reputable organization. Moreover, the FIRST Lego League is globally recognised, and multiple universities, colleges and employers recognise both the value of participation and winning an award in any category.

Due to the prestige of the competition, participating and winning an award can not only boost your application but can increase your possibilities of getting opportunities such as internships or even scholarships.

How are challenge submissions judged?

The competition involves four judged sections to assess teams' achievement of learning objectives. Each of these four equally weighted parts of FIRST LEGO League Challenge accounts for 25% of your total performance at your event.

• The Core Values section evaluates how well the team collaborates and embodies values like inspiration, teamwork, Gracious Professionalism, and Cooperation. 

• The Robot Design section assesses the mechanical design, programming, and strategy/innovation of the robot. 

• The Robot Game is where your team will have three 2.5-minute matches to complete as many missions as possible.

• The Innovation Project section requires teams to present a 5-minute research presentation on a topic related to the current challenge, including identifying a problem, developing an innovative solution, and sharing it with others, such as experts in the theme's field.

8 Tips to Help You Win the FIRST Lego League Challenge

1. Master the Challenge Details:

It’ll be highly beneficial if you focus on thoroughly understanding the objectives and missions of the specific challenge. You can take a look at the challenge rules and scoring criteria to identify potential strategies and prioritize tasks.

2. Strategize Your Robot Design: 

Base your robot design on the Robot Game Rulebook, and try to design a robot that is versatile, robust, and tailored to excel in completing missions. You should also focus on optimizing the robot's movements, attachments, and sensors for precise and reliable performance. 

One tip for improving your robot’s design is to start with the driving bse 1 unit in the SPIKE Prime app. Explore the unit and get used to how it works, and then you can consider adding it as an attachment!

3. Practice on the Challenge Mat: 

You should definitely regularly practice on the official challenge mat with your robot. Focus on timing your runs and fine-tuning your strategies to improve efficiency and accuracy. In order to stay organized, you should also keep records of your best runs for reference. 

4. Innovate with a Unique Solution: 

The key to winning in this competition is to stand out, and devising an innovative solution to the challenge theme is a great way to get recognised. You can think about the utility of your robot and question how convenient and accessible your robot is. If you demonstrate creativity and originality in your project research and if its application is successful, it will definitely boost your chances of winning!

5. Divvy up the Roles: 

In order to work better as a team, you should assign roles to individuals so you can be more organized and efficient. You can use inspiration from the team meeting guide to determine roles, but some potential ones include Team Captain, Creative Designer, Researchers, Project Manager, Coders, and Builders. You should also regularly meet with your group to focus on communicating the problems, the potential solutions and the research findings within the time limit. 

6. Highlight Core Values in Action: 

Showcasing how your team embodies the FIRST Lego League Core Values is also another way to gain more points as it is also a part of the judging criteria. You should be ready to share examples of teamwork, cooperation, and respectful behavior. 

7. Seek Feedback and Iterate: 

Connect to mentors, coaches and experienced teams to gather feedback on your robot, project and your overall performance. You should also look at past challenges for ideas and inspirations. After getting feedback, you should use this input to refine your strategies and improve your solutions! 

8. Stay Calm and Adapt: 

On competition day, focus on remaining composed and be prepared to adapt to unexpected challenges. You should keep in mind that your spirit and team dynamic are part of the competition, so focus on having a positive attitude, supporting your teammates and continuous improvement! 

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

Image Source - FIRST Lego League Logo